Lone Soldiers Blessed and Hugged Before Pesach

Chief Sephardic Rabbi Amar and Central Command Head Mizrachi gave the "lone soldiers" special Pesach Haggadahs - and more.

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Gil Ronen & Hezki Baruch, 17/04/11 11:12 | updated: 15:43

Rabbi Amar with IDF Lone Soldiers

Hezki Ezra

The "lone soldiers" in Central Command received special Pesach treats Sunday. The Chief Sephardic Rabbi, Rav Shlomo Amar, and Central Command Head Major-General Avi Mizrachi, gave the "lone soldiers" special Pesach Haggadahs (books containing the text recited at the Pesach meal ceremony) and packages of extra-fine matzot.

"Lone soldiers" are soldiers who have no close family members in Israel and are essentially on their own when not living the military life. They often feel more lonely during the holidays, which are very family-oriented.

Rav Amar asked the general public to host lone soldiers so that they get to celebrate the holiday in a a home environment. "May the entire House of Israel see it as a privilege to host lone soldiers, and to grace their Pesach table with them," he pronounced.

The rabbi also blessed the soldiers and prayed for the release of Gilad Shalit and Jonathan Pollard.

Maj.-Gen. Mizrachi extolled the soldiers' virtues: "Despite the double difficulty they face, the soldiers give everything. Despite the risk, they do everything for the Nation of Israel."